RIBOVICS: LOPES Will CONNECT And TAKE OLIVEIRA'S BMF Belt
“I think Diego has the chin.”
Esteban Ribovics picks underdog Diego Lopes to beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 335, and he says one thing decides it: the chin.
"For me, Diego wins."
Esteban Ribovics said that to Hablemos MMA. He picks Diego Lopes to take Charles Oliveira's BMF title in the main event of UFC 335.
The fight is set for Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It is a five-round title fight, and it is Lopes' debut at lightweight.
Why The Chin Decides It
The sportsbooks favor Oliveira to defend the belt. Ribovics sees the fight the other way.
Both men have strong jiu-jitsu, he said. So the ground game may cancel out, and the fight could turn on who takes a clean shot better.
"I think Diego has the chin."
— Esteban Ribovics, to Hablemos MMA
Ribovics pointed to Oliveira's history. Oliveira has been knocked down several times, and Ilia Topuria knocked him out.
Lopes, in his view, takes heavy shots and keeps coming. Ribovics expects Lopes to absorb punishment, then connect with the shot that changes the fight.
He Has Felt Lopes' Size Himself
This is not a pick from a distance. Ribovics and Lopes are not teammates, but they have trained together in the past.
Ribovics said he felt Lopes' size and strength when they trained in Puebla. He does not expect Lopes to look small at 155 pounds.
That matters. Lopes is moving up from featherweight, and size is the first question in any move up a division.
Ribovics Wants This Belt Next
Ribovics (17-3, 6-3 in the UFC) is a rising lightweight himself. He is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Edson Barboza and King Green.
He also made his own goal clear. He dreams of fighting for the BMF belt, maybe as soon as next year.
So his pick comes with a warning. Whoever leaves Las Vegas with the belt may have Ribovics calling his name next.
Let that sink in. The man picking the upset also wants the winner.
Can Lopes take Oliveira's best shots and land the one that takes the BMF belt?
